Where to Spend a Weekend Eating Through Portland, Maine
By Carla Vianna, the travel blogger and photographer behind
If there’s one New England destination worth braving traffic out of New York on a Friday afternoon, it’s Portland, Maine. The charming waterfront town sits five to six hours from New York, making it ideal for a long weekend getaway from the city.
Portland’s coastal landscape dotted with white, historic lighthouses is as scenic as it gets. It’s the ideal base to explore Maine’s natural wonders — as well as experience an abundance of mouthwatering seafood.
Why go: Portland is a fantastic food city. The idea of eating the world’s best lobster roll on a breezy summer afternoon is what drove me to Maine in the first place. In my book, traveling for food is just as good a reason as any. Yet Portland’s rocky shores are just as satisfying to roam through as its culinary landscape, making it one of the most promising weekend escapes on the East Coast.
What to see: Aside from eating, there’s plenty else to see and do in Portland. Take a walk through time in the Old Port neighborhood, where a maze of cobblestoned streets, historic buildings and fishing piers now share their sidewalks with modern-day shops, bars and restaurants. It’s one of the liveliest spots for tourists to explore.
A 15-minute drive will take you to Cape Elizabeth, home to the iconic Portland Head Light. Built in the 1700s, the lighthouse is the oldest in the state of Maine and one of the most photographed in the country.
Admire Portland from the water by taking a Mailboat tour. The Mailboat is a true working vessel that delivers mail and freight to nearby islands, and passengers are also allowed onboard. It’s an affordable and local way to get experience Casco Bay.
Where to eat: For oysters and a quirky take on New England fare, head to Eventide Oyster Co. Here, one of the city’s most celebrated lobster rolls comes topped with chives and served in a steamed bun rather than the usual hotdog bun. Dishes like potato chips dusted with nori powder and a crab roll topped with yuzu-kosho mayo share a similar twist. Come prepared for a wait.
The lobster roll at Eventide Oyster Co.
A more traditional lobster roll can be found at Bite Into Maine, whose rendition is often touted as the best in Maine. The food truck can be found in three locations including Fort Williams Park, where the Portland Head Light is located.
The lobster panini at Duckfat
Duckfat is another wildly popular Portland institution known for its fries — fried in duck fat — and poutine with duck gravy. Come for the fries, and stick around for the sandwiches and milkshakes. If you catch the lobster panini on the specials menu, order one for the table.
Duckfat’s Belgian fries are the perfect reward after a Lighthouse trek
No trip to Portland is complete without a potato doughnut at The Holy Donut. My advice? Skip the crazier flavors and head straight for the Dark Chocolate Sea Salt. Thank me later.
Can you spot the dark chocolate sea salt donut? Not for long…
Where to stay: The Press Hotel embraces its former life as the Portland Press Herald with vintage decor like rooms that emulate a writer’s studio and typewriters throughout. Located within walking distance from the best restaurants in the city, the hotel is also home to its own farm-to-table stunner called Union.
A Bed, A Bite, and a Bring Your Camera is a new travel series by Leisurely contributor Carla Vianna, who you should absolutely follow on Instagram at @bycarlavianna